Today at 2:00 p.m the Arcata Interfaith Gospel Choir held a benefit show in honor of Humboldt State University student David Josiah Lawson. The proceeds of the event would go towards Brothers United, the student-club that Lawson was president of. Dr.Corliss Bennett-McBride,the advisor to Brothers United who is also the Director of HSU’s Cultural Centers for Academic Excellence, coordinated the event.

February 15, 2018 will mark ten months since his death and his murder currently remains unsolved. Lawson’s mother travels to Humboldt County every month seeking justice for her son.

“Hold on just a little while longer, everything will be alright…”

Lawson’s younger brother is finishing up his first year of college in Arizona and had to receive an emergency surgery yesterday due to a collapsed lung. As Ms. Lawson and her younger daughter were by his side, the words and hymns of the Interfaith Gospel Choir rang through the Kate Buchanan Room at HSU, ensuring that a miracle was on the way. Hold on, just a little while longer. Everything is going to be alright.

“The Sun is going to shine after a while. Oh my sister, be encouraged. He will strengthen thy heart.”

“None of us are free, if one of us are chained, none of us are free.”

The choir gave a beautiful performance and lifted up their voices for justice and peace, in honor of Lawson. Various members of the choir also had solo performances.

The choir ended on an uplifted beat, performing their version of Kirk Franklin’s famous Gospel song, “Stomp.”

About slausongirl

Slauson Girl is a South Central native who has a love for journalism, history and all things Hip-Hop--currently living in Humboldt County. She holds a B.A in Critical Race & Gender Theory & a Minor in Journalism.

One comment

That was such a blessing by the Arcata Interfaith Gospel Choir. They were wonderful !
I pray that the Student-Club offers that the proceeds raised will go to the reward fund, for Justice for Josiah.
Also,i would like to see more events like this one.